Hughes calls for patience

06 February 2009 14:06
Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has warned fans that they won't see the best of his side until next season.[LNB] The former Blackburn boss brought in four new additions in January with Shay Given, Wayne Bridge, Nigel de Jong and Craig Bellamy joining the club.[LNB]City's new boys, with the exception of Given who is yet to make his debut, failed to improve the team's fortunes on the pitch as they succumbed 1-0 to struggling Stoke last week.[LNB]The result was made even worse by the fact that the Potters had to play the majority of the game with ten men after Rory Delap was sent-off in the 38th minute.[LNB]Of the team that started against Stoke, seven were in their first season with the club as Hughes' side have undergone a major facelift since the days of predecessor Sven Goran Eriksson just eight months ago.[LNB]"People don't understand how much of a change has been undertaken here," he said.[LNB]"The altercations we have made on and off the field have been vast. Certainly I am confident about the impact they will have and I am looking for a strong second half to the season.[LNB]Patience"But in addition, the way we do our work on a daily basis will have a positive impact going into next season."[LNB]City welcome relegation threatened Middlesbrough to Eastlands on Saturday with just six points separating the two teams and Hughes is expecting a defensive approach from the visitors.[LNB]"It won't be easy because Middlesbrough do get people behind the ball," he highlighted.[LNB]"We will have to be patient in the way we approach it and make sure we are able to break them down when we can.[LNB]"Obviously that is something we found difficult to do last weekend and we need to be better.[LNB]"Middlesbrough are a young side, well organised side with lots of enthusiasm. They started the season quite brightly but injuries have affected them and now they are in a run of disappointing results.[LNB]"We have been highlighting things we feel will enable us to make a better fist of it, just in case they do bring everyone behind the ball."[LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports